Module 2: Basic Pharmacology of Controlled Drugs and Substances

Lesson 5

Cultural and ethnic variables

Data from the latest Canadian census reveal that an estimated 5.3 million Canadians belong to a visible minority, accounting for 16.2% of Canada’s total population. This is up from 13.4% in 2001 and 11.2% in 1996 (Statistics Canada, 2006).

The ethno-racial and cultural diversity of Canadians contributes to health differences within our population, which must be considered in drug therapy. Nurses are expected to acquire and incorporate cultural competencies into their nursing practice (CNA, 2010).